Towards the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Paths of pro-ecological transformation of energy mixes in European countries with an above-average share of coal in energy consumption

The EU decarbonization policy was and is the most serious challenge for those countries where coal was used in the energy industry to quite a large extent. The transformation of energy mixes is a time consuming and capital intensive task. Therefore, the aim of this article is to identify the directions of transformation of the energy mixes of selected European Union countries (those with an above average share of hard coal in meeting energy needs) conducive to reducing carbon dioxide and making the adaptation to EU climate requirements possible. Multidimensional analysis of the emissivity and composition of energy mixes used in the research allowed to distinguish 4 transformation paths. The most effective of them – in the context of achieving environmental goals – proved to be a quick and consistent abolition of coal and its replacement with renewable and nuclear energy and hydroelectricity. The lack or low level of reduction of the share of coal in the mix brought highly unsatisfactory effects in terms of emission reduction (Poland, Bulgaria, Turkey). The conclusions fill the research gap in the area of: (1) long term analysis of the relationships between decisions concerning shaping the energy mix and their climate effects, and (2) identification of effective pathways for reducing carbon dioxide in economies where hard coal was the key raw material.